Tracking career progression based on user activities

ABSTRACT

A method for generating career progression information for a user participating in one or more activities in a processing device is disclosed. User progress in the activities is tracked. The activities include game activities and non-game activities. Achievement scores for the user based on the game activities and the non-game activities are determined. The achievement scores are aggregated across the game activities and the non-game activities to generate an aggregated career score for the user. Career progression information is generated for the user, based on the aggregated career score.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/820,975 filed on Jun. 22, 2010 entitled TRACKING CAREER PROGRESSIONBASED ON USER ACTIVITIES, which application is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The console and personal computer-based video game experience hasevolved from one in which an isolated gaming experience was providedinto one in which users on a variety of processing devices such aspersonal computers and mobile devices can interact with each other toshare a common game experience. One example of a system that enablesusers to communicate with each other is Microsoft's Xbox 360 Live®online game service. Using such systems, users are provided with a richinteractive experience which may be shared in real time between friendsand other gamers. For example, users can track their own and theirfriends' progress via different applications maintained by the onlinegame service through the concept of game scores and achievements.

SUMMARY

Technology is disclosed by which a user's progress and accomplishmentsacross one or more activities may be tracked, based on a user'sparticipation in one or more activities on a variety of processingdevices. The processing devices may include, for example, a gaming andmedia console, a mobile device, such as, for example, a cell phone, aweb-enabled smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a palmtopcomputer or a laptop computer, a personal computer and the like. Theactivities may include game related activities such as, for example,single player games or multiplayer games executing in the user'sprocessing device or non-game related activities such as onlinetransaction activities, or other group interaction activities that auser may wish to participate in. Information about a user'saccomplishments across all game activities and non-game activities isutilized to generate career progression information for the user. Thecareer progression information is displayed via a user interface in theuser's processing device to the user.

In one embodiment, a method for generating career progressioninformation for a user participating in one or more activities in aprocessing device is provided. The user's progress in one or more of theactivities is tracked. The activities include game activities andnon-game activities. Achievement scores for the user based on the gameactivities and the non-game activities are determined. The achievementscores are aggregated across the game activities and the non-gameactivities to generate an aggregated career score for the user. Careerprogression information is generated for the user, based on theaggregated career score.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part ofthis disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary gaming and media system.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary functional block diagram of components of thegaming and media system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example embodiment of the gaming and mediasystem shown in FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a mobile device for implementing operationsof the disclosed technology.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a system for implementing thepresent technology.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary set of operations performed on aprocessing device in accordance with the disclosed technology.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary set of operations performed by amultiplayer gaming service shown in FIG. 5 to generate careerprogression information for a user participating in one or moreactivities in a processing device.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary user interface screen for enabling auser to perform one or more operations of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 8 is a user interface screen that displays exemplary gameactivities for a user.

FIG. 9 is user interface screen that displays exemplary non-gameactivities for a user.

FIG. 10 is a user interface screen that displays career progressioninformation related to a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is a method and system by which career progressioninformation for a user participating in a variety of activities in aprocessing device is generated. The career progression informationincludes information about a user's accomplishments across all gameactivities and non-game activities that the user participates in. In oneembodiment of the disclosed technology, a user on a processing devicemay invoke a career progression service executing in a multiplayergaming service to participate in one or more activities, via a userinterface in the user's processing device. The career progressionservice may generate career progression information for the user basedon the user's participation in a variety of activities. The careerprogression information may include achievement scores related to gameand non-game activities related to the user, an aggregation of theachievement scores across all game activities and non-game activitiesthat the user participates in and career milestones and career awardsassigned to the user. In another embodiment of the disclosed technology,the career progression information may be displayed to the user via auser interface in the user's processing device.

FIG. 1 shows a gaming and media system as an exemplary processing devicefor implementing the operations of the disclosed technology. As shown inFIG. 1, gaming and media system 100 includes a game and media console(hereinafter “console”) 102. In general, console 102 is one type ofcomputing system, as will be further described below. Console 102 isconfigured to accommodate one or more wireless controllers, asrepresented by controllers 104(1) and 104(2). Console 102 is equippedwith an internal hard disk drive (not shown) and a portable media drive106 that support various forms of portable storage media, as representedby optical storage disc 108. Examples of suitable portable storage mediainclude DVD, CD-ROM, game discs, and so forth. Console 102 also includestwo memory unit card receptacles 125(1) and 125(2), for receivingremovable flash-type memory units 140. A command button 135 on console102 enables and disables wireless peripheral support.

As depicted in FIG. 1, console 102 also includes an optical port 130 forcommunicating wirelessly with one or more devices and two USB (UniversalSerial Bus) ports 110(1) and 110(2) to support a wired connection foradditional controllers, or other peripherals. In some implementations,the number and arrangement of additional ports may be modified. A powerbutton 112 and an eject button 114 are also positioned on the front faceof game console 102. Power button 112 is selected to apply power to thegame console, and can also provide access to other features andcontrols, and eject button 114 alternately opens and closes the tray ofa portable media drive 106 to enable insertion and extraction of astorage disc 108.

Console 102 connects to a television or other display (such as monitor150) via A/V interfacing cables 120. In one implementation, console 102is equipped with a dedicated A/V port (not shown) configured forcontent-secured digital communication using A/V cables 120 (e.g., A/Vcables suitable for coupling to a High Definition Multimedia Interface“HDMI” port on a high definition monitor 150 or other display device). Apower cable 122 provides power to the game console. Console 102 may befurther configured with broadband capabilities, as represented by acable or modem connector 124 to facilitate access to a network, such asthe Internet. The broadband capabilities can also be providedwirelessly, through a broadband network such as a wireless fidelity(Wi-Fi) network.

Each controller 104 is coupled to console 102 via a wired or wirelessinterface. In the illustrated implementation, the controllers 104 areUSB-compatible and are coupled to console 102 via a wireless or USB port110. Console 102 may be equipped with any of a wide variety of userinteraction mechanisms. In an example illustrated in FIG. 1, eachcontroller 104 is equipped with two thumbsticks 132(1) and 132(2), aD-pad 134, buttons 136, and two triggers 138. These controllers aremerely representative, and other known gaming controllers may besubstituted for, or added to, those shown in FIG. 1.

In one implementation, a memory unit (MU) 140 may also be inserted intocontroller 104 to provide additional and portable storage. Portable MUsenable users to store game parameters for use when playing on otherconsoles. In this implementation, each controller is configured toaccommodate two MUs 140, although more or less than two MUs may also beemployed.

Gaming and media system 100 is generally configured for playing gamesstored on a memory medium, as well as for downloading and playing games,and reproducing pre-recorded music and videos, from both electronic andhard media sources. With the different storage offerings, titles can beplayed from the hard disk drive, from an optical disk media (e.g., 108),from an online source, or from MU 140.

During operation, console 102 is configured to receive input fromcontrollers 104 and display information on display 150. For example,console 102 can display a user interface on display 150 to allow a userto participate in a multiplayer game using controller 104.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the gaming and media system 100and shows functional components of the gaming and media system 100 inmore detail. Console 102 has a central processing unit (CPU) 200, and amemory controller 202 that facilitates processor access to various typesof memory, including a flash Read Only Memory (ROM) 204, a Random AccessMemory (RAM) 206, a hard disk drive 208, and portable media drive 106.In one implementation, CPU 200 includes a level 1 cache 210 and a level2 cache 212, to temporarily store data and hence reduce the number ofmemory access cycles made to the hard drive 208, thereby improvingprocessing speed and throughput.

CPU 200, memory controller 202, and various memory devices areinterconnected via one or more buses (not shown). The details of the busthat is used in this implementation are not particularly relevant tounderstanding the subject matter of interest being discussed herein.However, it will be understood that such a bus might include one or moreof serial and parallel buses, a memory bus, a peripheral bus, and aprocessor or local bus, using any of a variety of bus architectures. Byway of example, such architectures can include an Industry StandardArchitecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, anEnhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association(VESA) local bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) busalso known as a Mezzanine bus.

In one implementation, CPU 200, memory controller 202, ROM 204, and RAM206 are integrated onto a common module 214. In this implementation, ROM204 is configured as a flash ROM that is connected to memory controller202 via a PCI bus and a ROM bus (neither of which are shown). RAM 206 isconfigured as multiple Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DDRSDRAM) modules that are independently controlled by memory controller202 via separate buses (not shown). Hard disk drive 208 and portablemedia drive 106 are shown connected to the memory controller 202 via thePCI bus and an AT Attachment (ATA) bus 216. However, in otherimplementations, dedicated data bus structures of different types canalso be applied in the alternative.

A graphics processing unit 220 and a video encoder 222 form a videoprocessing pipeline for high speed and high resolution (e.g., HighDefinition) graphics processing. Data are carried from graphicsprocessing unit 220 to video encoder 222 via a digital video bus (notshown). An audio processing unit 224 and an audio codec (coder/decoder)226 form a corresponding audio processing pipeline for multi-channelaudio processing of various digital audio formats. Audio data arecarried between audio processing unit 224 and audio codec 226 via acommunication link (not shown). The video and audio processing pipelinesoutput data to an A/V (audio/video) port 228 for transmission to atelevision or other display. In the illustrated implementation, videoand audio processing components 220-228 are mounted on module 214.

FIG. 2 shows module 214 including a USB host controller 230 and anetwork interface 232. USB host controller 230 is shown in communicationwith CPU 200 and memory controller 202 via a bus (e.g., PCI bus) andserves as host for peripheral controllers 104(1)-104(4). Networkinterface 232 provides access to a network (e.g., Internet, homenetwork, etc.) and may be any of a wide variety of various wire orwireless interface components including an Ethernet card, a modem, awireless access card, a Bluetooth module, a cable modem, and the like.

In the implementation depicted in FIG. 2, console 102 includes acontroller support subassembly 240 for supporting four controllers104(1)-104(4). The controller support subassembly 240 includes anyhardware and software components needed to support wired and wirelessoperation with an external control device, such as for example, a mediaand game controller. A front panel I/O subassembly 242 supports themultiple functionalities of power button 112, the eject button 114, aswell as any LEDs (light emitting diodes) or other indicators exposed onthe outer surface of console 102. Subassemblies 240 and 242 are incommunication with module 214 via one or more cable assemblies 244. Inother implementations, console 102 can include additional controllersubassemblies. The illustrated implementation also shows an optical I/Ointerface 235 that is configured to send and receive signals that can becommunicated to module 214.

MUs 140(1) and 140(2) are illustrated as being connectable to MU ports“A” 130(1) and “B” 130(2) respectively. Additional MUs (e.g., MUs140(3)-140(6)) are illustrated as being connectable to controllers104(1) and 104(3), i.e., two MUs for each controller. Controllers 104(2)and 104(4) can also be configured to receive MUs (not shown). Each MU140 offers additional storage on which games, game parameters, and otherdata may be stored. In some implementations, the other data can includeany of a digital game component, an executable gaming application, aninstruction set for expanding a gaming application, and a media file.When inserted into console 102 or a controller, MU 140 can be accessedby memory controller 202. A system power supply module 250 providespower to the components of gaming system 100. A fan 252 cools thecircuitry within console 102.

An application 260 comprising machine instructions is stored on harddisk drive 208. When console 102 is powered on, various portions ofapplication 260 are loaded into RAM 206, and/or caches 210 and 212, forexecution on CPU 200, wherein application 260 is one such example.Various applications can be stored on hard disk drive 208 for executionon CPU 200.

Gaming and media system 100 may be operated as a standalone system bysimply connecting the system to monitor 150 (FIG. 1), a television, avideo projector, or other display device. In this standalone mode,gaming and media system 100 enables one or more players to play games,or enjoy digital media, e.g., by watching movies, or listening to music.However, with the integration of broadband connectivity made availablethrough network interface 232, gaming and media system 100 may furtherbe operated as a participant in a larger network gaming community, asdiscussed in connection with FIG. 5.

FIG. 3 illustrates a general purpose computing device for implementingthe operations of the disclosed technology. With reference to FIG. 3, anexemplary system for implementing embodiments of the disclosedtechnology includes a general purpose computing device in the form of acomputer 310. Components of computer 310 may include, but are notlimited to, a processing unit 320, a system memory 330, and a system bus321 that couples various system components including the system memoryto the processing unit 320. The system bus 321 may be any of severaltypes of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of busarchitectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architecturesinclude Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro ChannelArchitecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video ElectronicsStandards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus.

Computer 310 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby computer 310 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile andnonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computerstorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which can be used to store the desired information and which canaccessed by computer 310. Communication media typically embodiescomputer readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. Theterm “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer readable media.

The system memory 330 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 331and random access memory (RAM) 332. A basic input/output system 333(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within computer 310, such as during start-up, istypically stored in ROM 331. RAM 332 typically contains data and/orprogram modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presentlybeing operated on by processing unit 320. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 3 illustrates operating system 334, applicationprograms 335, other program modules 336, and program data 337.

The computer 310 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 3 illustrates a hard disk drive 340 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 351that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 352,and an optical disk drive 355 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 356 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solidstate ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 341 is typically connectedto the system bus 321 through a non-removable memory interface such asinterface 340, and magnetic disk drive 351 and optical disk drive 355are typically connected to the system bus 321 by a removable memoryinterface, such as interface 350.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 3, provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 310. In FIG. 3, for example, hard disk drive 341 is illustratedas storing operating system 344, application programs 345, other programmodules 346, and program data 347. Note that these components can eitherbe the same as or different from operating system 334, applicationprograms 335, other program modules 336, and program data 337. Operatingsystem 344, application programs 345, other program modules 346, andprogram data 347 are given different numbers here to illustrate that, ata minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter commands andinformation into the computer 20 through input devices such as akeyboard 362 and pointing device 361, commonly referred to as a mouse,trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include amicrophone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like.These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit320 through a user input interface 360 that is coupled to the systembus, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such asa parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor391 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus321 via an interface, such as a video interface 390. In addition to themonitor, computers may also include other peripheral output devices suchas speakers 397 and printer 396, which may be connected through anoutput peripheral interface 390.

The computer 310 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer380. The remote computer 380 may be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, andtypically includes many or all of the elements described above relativeto the computer 310, although only a memory storage device 381 has beenillustrated in FIG. 3. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 3include a local area network (LAN) 371 and a wide area network (WAN)373, but may also include other networks. Such networking environmentsare commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranetsand the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 310 is connectedto the LAN 371 through a network interface or adapter 370. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 310 typically includes amodem 372 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN373, such as the Internet. The modem 372, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 321 via the user inputinterface 360, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 310, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 3 illustrates remoteapplication programs 385 as residing on memory device 381. It will beappreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers may beused.

FIG. 4 depicts an example block diagram of a mobile device forimplementing the operations of the disclosed technology. Exemplaryelectronic circuitry of a typical mobile phone is depicted. The mobiledevice 400 includes one or more microprocessors 412, and memory 410(e.g., non-volatile memory such as ROM and volatile memory such as RAM)which stores processor-readable code which is executed by one or moreprocessors of the control processor 412 to implement the functionalitydescribed herein.

Mobile device 400 may include, for example, processors 412, memory 410including applications and non-volatile storage. The processor 412 canimplement communications, as well any number of applications, includingthe applications discussed herein. Memory 410 can be any variety ofmemory storage media types, including non-volatile and volatile memory.A device operating system handles the different operations of the mobiledevice 400 and may contain user interfaces for operations, such asplacing and receiving phone calls, text messaging, checking voicemail,and the like. The applications 430 can be any assortment of programs,such as a camera application for photos and/or videos, an address book,a calendar application, a media player, an internet browser, games, analarm application or other third party applications. The non-volatilestorage component 440 in memory 410 contains data such as web caches,music, photos, contact data, scheduling data, and other files.

The processor 412 also communicates with RF transmit/receive circuitry406 which in turn is coupled to an antenna 402, with an infraredtransmitted/receiver 408, and with a movement/orientation sensor 414such as an accelerometer and a magnetometer 415. Accelerometers havebeen incorporated into mobile devices to enable such applications asintelligent user interfaces that let users input commands throughgestures, indoor GPS functionality which calculates the movement anddirection of the device after contact is broken with a GPS satellite,and to detect the orientation of the device and automatically change thedisplay from portrait to landscape when the phone is rotated. Anaccelerometer can be provided, e.g., by a micro-electromechanical system(MEMS) which is a tiny mechanical device (of micrometer dimensions)built onto a semiconductor chip. Acceleration direction, as well asorientation, vibration and shock can be sensed. The processor 412further communicates with a ringer/vibrator 416, a user interfacekeypad/screen 418, a speaker 420, a microphone 422, a camera 424, alight sensor 426 and a temperature sensor 428. Magnetometers have beenincorporated into mobile devices to enable such applications as adigital compass that measure the direction and magnitude of a magneticfield in the vicinity of the mobile device, track changes to themagnetic field and display the direction of the magnetic field to users.

The processor 412 controls transmission and reception of wirelesssignals. During a transmission mode, the processor 412 provides a voicesignal from microphone 422, or other data signal, to thetransmit/receive circuitry 406. The transmit/receive circuitry 406transmits the signal to a remote station (e.g., a fixed station,operator, other cellular phones, etc.) for communication through theantenna 402. The ringer/vibrator 416 is used to signal an incoming call,text message, calendar reminder, alarm clock reminder, or othernotification to the user. During a receiving mode, the transmit/receivecircuitry 406 receives a voice or other data signal from a remotestation through the antenna 402. A received voice signal is provided tothe speaker 420 while other received data signals are also processedappropriately.

Additionally, a physical connector 488 can be used to connect the mobiledevice 100 to an external power source, such as an AC adapter or powereddocking station. The physical connector 488 can also be used as a dataconnection to a computing device. The data connection allows foroperations such as synchronizing mobile device data with the computingdata on another device. A global positioning service (GPS) receiver 465utilizing satellite-based radio navigation to relay the position of theuser applications is enabled for such service.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a system for implementing thepresent technology. FIG. 5 illustrates a multiplayer gaming service 502which is coupled via a network 504 to one or more processing devices500A, 500B, 500N, 500X. Network 504 may be a public network, a privatenetwork, or a combination of public and private networks such as theInternet. Each of the processing devices may comprise one or more of theprocessing devices illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 herein. Theseinclude a console 500A, a mobile device 500B, computer 500N, or aconsole 500X.

Multiplayer gaming service 502 includes one or more applications 526,which may include one or more game applications and user account records530. Multiplayer gaming service 502 may also include a third partyapplication programming interface 538 which allows third partyapplication developers 540 to provide their own applications 542, whichmay include one or more game applications in conjunction with themultiplayer gaming service 502. Various components of the applicationsmay be run on the multiplayer gaming service 502 and/or the consoles orprocessing devices. In one embodiment, third party gaming developers 540having applications 542 may register the applications with themultiplayer gaming service 502 via a registry 528. In alternativeembodiments, multiplayer games may be administered and provided directlyby third party developers 540, but utilize services of the multiplayergaming service 502, such as the download agent 520 and the connectionservice 522 to allow users having access to consoles to connect to eachother. Third party developers 540 may provide one or more applications542 and game management services at 544. Game management services 544can provide updates on user sessions, including where game play lobbiesand rooms of users gather for multiplayer game connections, variousepisodes, and games including episodic content, various gaming channels,(rooms for basic, intermediate, and advanced players), and the like.User account records 530 may include the user's friend list 532,individual game records 534 and a record of the user's careerprogression information 536. In one embodiment, and as will be discussedbelow, the user's career progression information may include game andnon-game achievement scores, aggregated career score information, careermilestone information and career award information for usersparticipating in one or more activities in the processing devices500A-X.

In one embodiment, users on processing devices 500A-X may invoke acareer progression service 512 in the multiplayer gaming service 502 toparticipate in one or more activities in the processing devices 500A-X.In one embodiment, users on processing devices 500A-X may invoke thecareer progression service 512 via a user interface in the user'sprocessing device. FIGS. 7-10 illustrate various user interface screensthat enable a user to perform one or more operations of the disclosedtechnology. In one embodiment, one such service for enabling users toparticipate in a variety of activities, access game related content,movie trailers, video footage, multimedia content and the like may beprovided by the Halo Waypoint™ application developed for Microsoft'sXbox 360® video game system.

In one embodiment, a user interface may be provided to the user via acareer progression application 516 in the user's processing device. Thecareer progression application 516 may be provided to processing devices500A-X utilizing the download agent 520. This allows the careerprogression application 516 to be stored and run on the individualprocessing devices, or the career progression application 516 may beprovided to users on processing devices 500A-X directly through the webserver 518.

In accordance with the disclosed technology, the career progressionservice 512 may interact with a game activity tracking service 514, anon-game activity tracking service 516, and a user activity service 550to generate career progression information for a user participating inone or more activities in processing devices 500A-X. In one embodiment,career progression information may include information about a user'saccomplishments across all game activities and non-game activities thatthe user participates in. The career progression information may bestored in user accounts records 530. In one embodiment, the careerprogression service 512, the game activity tracking service 514, thenon-game activity tracking service 516 and the user activity service 550may be implemented as software modules to perform the operations of thedisclosed technology.

The user activity service 550 provides users on processing devices500A-X with one or more activities, which may include game activitiesand non-game activities. Game activities may include, for example, oneor more game applications 526 executing in the multiplayer gamingservice 502 that may be provided to users on processing devices 500A-Xby the user activity service 550. Alternatively, game activities may beprovided to users on processing devices 500A-X via one or more gameapplications 510 stored locally on the user's processing device ordirectly through the web server 518. Non-game activities may include,but are not limited to, online transaction activities 554, bookactivities 556, news and event activities 558, movie activities 560 andgroup interaction activities 562 that may be provided to users onprocessing devices 500A-X by the user activity service 550. Onlinetransaction activities 554 may include, for example, transactions ofgame or non-game related content, transactions of products ormerchandise such as game apparel or game accessories, or transactions ofbooks or movies by users, book activities 556 may include book reviewsprovided by users, news and event activities 558 may include, forexample, previews of web episodes, game play videos and gameplay relatedstrategies provided by users, movie activities 560 may include trailersand videos and group interaction activities 562 may include, forexample, chat sessions between users.

The game activity tracking service 514 in the multiplayer gaming service502 tracks a user's progress in a game activity in the user's processingdevice and determines an achievement score related to the game activityfor the user. The non-game activity tracking service 516 in themultiplayer gaming service 502 tracks a user's progress in a non-gameactivity in the user's processing device and determines an achievementscore related to the non-game activity for the user. The careerprogression service 512 may then generate career progression informationfor a user based on the achievement scores received from the gameactivity tracking service 514 and the non-game activity tracking service516. The technique of determining achievement scores and generatingcareer progression information is discussed in FIG. 6B.

Multiplayer gaming service 502 may also include a user authenticationservice 524, wherein each user on one or more of the processing devices500A, 500B, 500N, 500X has associated therewith a unique useridentifier, such as a gamer tag, which is used to uniquely identify theuser within the multiplayer gaming service 502. When a user seeks toplay or interact with one of the applications 526 or 510 with otherusers on other processing devices, connection by and/or between theusers is controlled by first requiring each of the users to authenticatethemselves to the multiplayer gaming service 502 via the userauthentication service 524. The connection service 522 allows differentusers on different processing devices to participate in activitiesresident on those devices with other users, and maintains connectionsbetween the users. An exemplary connection service is Microsoft's X-BoxLive™ service provided by Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.

Console 500X illustrates functional components of applications andactivities which may be occurring on any one or more of the devices500A, 500B, 500N, 500X. Console 500X may include a number of gameapplications 510 executed by the processing device of the console 500X.In one embodiment, console 500X may also include a career progressionapplication 516, as discussed above. Each device 500X may include acontent engine 506 which executes one or more functions to enablegameplay and/or application usage on the processing device 500X. Thecontent engine can include, for example, parental controls, reminders,status updates, an internal messaging system, and networkingcapabilities to enable the devices to couple to the internet or othernetwork 504.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary set of operations performed on aprocessing device in accordance with the disclosed technology. In oneembodiment, the steps of FIG. 6A may be performed on a user's processingdevice such as, for example, 500X shown in FIG. 5. In step 600, a userprovides authentication on a processing device, such as, for example,500X shown in FIG. 5. Authentication may be performed locally on theprocessing device or by transmitting user authentication credentials tothe multiplayer network service 502. Once the user is authenticated, atstep 602, a check is made to determine if the user has selected toparticipate in a game activity. As discussed above, a game activity mayinclude one or more game applications 526 that may be provided to userson processing devices 500A-X, via the user activity service 550.Alternatively, game activities may be provided to users on processingdevices 500A-X via one or more game applications 510 stored locally onthe user's processing device or directly through the web server 518.

At step 602, a user may be prompted by a user interface in the user'sprocessing device to select a game activity. FIG. 7 illustrates anexemplary user interface screen that enables a user to select a gameactivity. In one embodiment, the user interface screen may be providedto the user, via the career progression application 516 in the user'sprocessing device. If the user selects to participate in a game activityat step 602, the game activity is provided to the multiplayer gamingservice 502 to track in step 608. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary userinterface screen that displays one or more game activities for users onprocessing devices 500A-X. Specifically, the game activity trackingservice 514 in the multiplayer gaming service 502 may track a user'sprogress in the game activity and determine an achievement score relatedto the game activity for the user. At step 610, a user receives anachievement score related to the game activity from the multiplayergaming service 502. At step 612, the achievement score is displayed tothe user on the user's processing device. FIG. 10 illustrates anexemplary user interface screen that displays an achievement scorerelated to a game activity for a user. The technique of determining anachievement score for a game activity is discussed in FIG. 6B.

If at step 602, the user does not select to participate in a gameactivity, then at step 604, a check is made as to whether the user hasselected to participate in a non-game activity. As discussed above, anon-game activity may include, for example, online transactionactivities 554, book activities 556, news and event activities 558,movie activities 560 and group interaction activities 562 that may beprovided to users on processing devices 500A-X by the user activityservice 550 in the multiplayer gaming service 502. FIG. 9 illustrates anexemplary user interface screen that displays one or more non-gameactivities for users on processing devices 500A-X. At step 604, a usermay be prompted by a user interface in the user's processing device toselect a non-game activity. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary userinterface screen that enables a user to select a non-game activity. Ifthe user selects to participate in a non-game activity at step 604, thenon-game activity is provided to the multiplayer gaming service 502 totrack at step 614. At step 616, a user receives an achievement scorerelated to the non-game activity from the multiplayer gaming service502. At step 618, the achievement score for the non-game activity isdisplayed to the user. FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary user interfacescreen that displays an achievement score for a non-game relatedactivity for the user.

In one embodiment, a user may also receive career progressioninformation from the career progression service 512 in the multiplayergaming service 502 at step 620. As discussed, the career progressioninformation includes information about the user's accomplishments acrossall game activities and non-game activities that the user participatesin. The technique by which career progression information may begenerated by the career progression service 512 in the multiplayergaming service 502 is discussed in detail in FIG. 6B. In step 622, thecareer progression information is displayed to the user. If the userdoes not wish to participate in a game activity at step 602 or anon-game activity at step 604, then the user is returned to a userinterface on the user's processing device at step 606.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary set of operations performed by themultiplayer gaming service 502 shown in FIG. 5 to generate careerprogression information for a user participating in one or moreactivities in a processing device. In one embodiment, one or more of theoperations in FIG. 6B may be performed by the career progression service512, the game activity tracking service 514, the non-game activitytracking service 516 and the user activity service 550 in themultiplayer gaming service 502. In step 630, a user's authentication isreceived via the user authentication service 524 in the multiplayergaming service 502. In order to participate in an activity in theprocessing device, the user identity must be verified. As noted above,this may be performed at the user's processing device or at the servicelevel. In step 632, a check is made to determine if the user selected toparticipate in a game activity. A user may select to participate in agame activity as discussed in step 602 in FIG. 6A and via the userinterface illustrated in FIG. 7. If the user has selected to participatein a game activity, the game activity is tracked in step 634. In oneembodiment, the game activity tracking service 514 in the multiplayergaming service 502 may track the user's progress in the game activity.

At step 636, a determination is made as to whether achievement criteriarelated to the game activity have been met by the user. As will beappreciated, users may be awarded with game achievements based onmastering certain in-game facets of the games they play. Gameachievements may be awarded to users based on multiple criteria such as,for example, a first sign-in to the game, completing a first sessionwith a game, completing a first hour of a game, completing one hundredsessions with a game, completing ten hours with a game, completing agame, and the like. If it is determined that the user has met one ormore achievement criteria, then an achievement score related to the gameactivity is determined in step 638. In one embodiment, an achievementscore related to a game activity for a user is determined as apercentage of the total number of game-defined credit points assigned tothe game activity. The total number of game-defined credit points for aparticular game activity may be pre-defined by the system 502. Forexample, if the total number of game-defined credit points assigned to agame is 100 credit points, and the user completes a first session of thegame, the user may be awarded 25% of the 100 total game-defined creditpoints or an achievement score of 25, in one embodiment.

In step 640, the achievement score is provided to the user's processingdevice. In one embodiment, the game activity tracking service 514 in themultiplayer gaming service 502 determines an achievement score relatedto the game activity for the user and provides the achievement score tothe user's processing device. If at step 636, it is determined thatachievement criteria have not yet been met, then the progress of thegame activity is tracked at step 634 until one or more achievementcriteria are met.

If at step 632, the user has not selected to participate in a gameactivity, a check is made to determine if the user has selected toparticipate in a non-game activity in step 642. A user may select toparticipate in a non-game activity as discussed in step 604 in FIG. 6Aand via the user interface illustrated in FIG. 7. If the user hasselected to participate in a non-game activity, the non-game activity istracked at step 644. At step 646, a determination is made as to whetherachievement criteria related to the non-game activity have been met bythe user. Achievement criteria related to a non-game activity may bedefined in a manner similar to the achievement criteria related to agame activity as discussed above. For example, achievement criteria fora non-game activity may be determined based on criteria such as thenumber of movies watched by a user or the number of books purchased bythe user, in one embodiment.

If it is determined that the user has met one or more achievementcriteria, then an achievement score related to the non-game activity isdetermined in step 648. In step 650, the achievement score is providedto the user's processing device. In one embodiment, the non-gameactivity tracking service 516 in the multiplayer gaming service 502determines an achievement score related to the non-game activity for theuser and provides the achievement score to the user's processing device.If at step 646, it is determined that achievement criteria have not yetbeen met, then the progress of the non-game activity is tracked at step644 until one or more achievement criteria are met.

In accordance with the disclosed technology, the achievement score forthe game activity (determined at step 638) and the achievement score forthe non game activity (determined at step 648) may be utilized togenerate an aggregated career score for the user at step 652. In oneembodiment, the aggregated career score is a numeric value representingan aggregation of the achievement scores across one or more of the gameactivities and the non-game activities related to the user. In step 654,a career milestone is assigned to the user, based on the aggregatedcareer score. In one embodiment, a career milestone represents a numericachievement level of a user's progress across one or more of the gameactivities and the non-game activities based on the aggregated careerscore. For example, a user may unlock a certain career milestone whenthe user reaches a certain numeric value of the aggregated career score.

In step 656, a career award may be provided to the user, based on thecareer milestone. In one embodiment, a career award is a title providedto the user that is representative of the user's accomplishments in aspecific game or non-game activity. A career award may be presented to auser, when the user accomplishes a specific group of career milestonesrelated to a game activity or a non-game activity. For example, a usermay be awarded with a “vehicle specialist” award when the user completesa group of career milestones related to a game or non-game activityrelated to vehicles. A career award tier may be associated with a careeraward, in one embodiment. For example, a user may earn a first tier of acareer award by completing a specific number of career milestones. It isto be appreciated that a career award tier may not necessarily beassociated with all types of career awards and all career awards maynecessarily not include the same number of career award tiers. In step658, career progression information is generated for the user andprovided to the user on the user's processing device. In one embodiment,the career progression information may include, for example, theachievement scores related to game activities and non-game activities,the aggregated career score, the career milestones and the career awardsassociated with the user. FIG. 10 is a user interface screen thatdisplays career progression information for a user.

In an alternate embodiment, one or more groups of users in processingdevices 500A-X may wish to participate in activities, such as gameactivities and non-game activities with each other. Group careerprogression information, including group game achievement scores, groupnon-game achievement scores, group aggregated career scores, groupcareer milestones and group career awards may be generated for one ormore groups of users in a manner similar to the disclosed technique ofgenerating career progression information for individual users'participating in one or more activities in processing devices 500A-X, asdiscussed above.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary user interface screen for enabling auser to perform one or more operations of the disclosed technology.Interface elements 702, 704 and 706 are user selectable buttons in auser interface 700 which may be selected by a user highlighting one ofthe visual elements 702-706 responsive to positioning instructionsreceived from the controller 104. The “Game Activity” option 702 enablesa user to select a game activity. The “Non-Game Activity” option 704enables a user to select a non-game activity. The “Career ProgressionInformation” option 706 enables a user to view career progressioninformation across all game activities and non-game activities relatedto the user.

FIG. 8 is a user interface screen that displays exemplary gameactivities for a user. As discussed above, game activities may include,for example, one or more game applications stored in the multiplayergaming service 502 that may be provided to users on processing devices500A-X. FIG. 9 is user interface screen that displays exemplary non-gameactivities for a user. As illustrated, non-game activities may include,for example, online transactions 554, news and events 558, movies 560and group interaction activities 562 that may be provided to users onprocessing devices 500A-X.

FIG. 10 is a user interface screen that displays career progressioninformation associated with a user. The career progression informationmay include information about a user's accomplishments across all gameactivities and non-game activities that the user participates in. Asillustrated, in one embodiment, the career progression information mayinclude, for example, one or more game related achievement scores 900,902, a non-game achievement score 904, an aggregated career score chart906 and a career milestone and career award 910 for a user. In theillustrated example, a non-game achievement score of 150 for a user isdetermined based on, for example, the number of movies watched by theuser and the number of books purchased by the user, in one embodiment.The aggregated career score chart 906 illustrates the user's aggregatedcareer score over a period of time. The career milestone and the careeraward 910 indicate that a user, “Schapstick” has achieved a careermilestone of 40 and has been awarded with a career title of “Sergeant”,in one embodiment.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims. It is intended that the scopeof the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method for generatingcareer progression information for a user participating in one or moreactivities, the method comprising: providing one or more activities fora user by a gaming service executing on one or more processors, whereinthe activities comprise one or more game activities and one or morenon-game activities; tracking user progress in the one or more gameactivities and the one or more non-game activities by the gaming serviceexecuting on the one or more processors; determining one or moreachievement scores for the user based on stored criteria for the one ormore game activities and the one or more non-game activities by thegaming service executing on the one or more processors; aggregating theone or more achievement scores across the one or more game activitiesand the one or more non-game activities to generate an aggregated careerscore for the user; and generating career progression information forthe user, based on the aggregated career score.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the stored criteria comprises an amount of time a user spendsperforming the one or more game activities and the one or more non-gameactivities.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein tracking user progress inthe one or more game activities and the one or more non-game activitiesby the gaming service executing on the one or more processors furthercomprises tracking user progress in the one or more game activities andthe one or more non-game activities being executed across a plurality ofprocessing devices associated with the user.
 4. The method of claim 1comprising providing a career award for the user based on a careermilestone, wherein the career milestone is representative of a numericachievement level of user progress across one or more of the one or moregame activities and the one or more non-game activities.
 5. The methodof claim 4 comprising providing a career award for the user based on thecareer milestone, wherein the career award is representative of useraccomplishment of a specific group of career milestones related to theone or more game activities and the one or more non-game activities. 6.The method of claim 4 wherein the career award is associated with acareer tier, and wherein the career tier is representative of useraccomplishment of a specific number of career milestones related to theone or more game activities and the one or more non-game activities. 7.The method of claim 1 wherein the career progression informationincludes at least one of the one or more achievement scores, theaggregated career score, a career milestone and a career awardassociated with a user participating in the one or more game activitiesand the one or more non-game activities.
 8. The method of claim 7further comprising: tracking progress of each member of a group of usersin the one or more game activities and the one or more non-gameactivities by the gaming service executing on the one or moreprocessors; and generating group career progression information for thegroup of users based on one or more achievement scores determined by thegaming service for each member of the group of users.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the game activities comprise playing one or more gameapplications.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-game activitiescomprise at least one of online transaction activities, book activities,news and event activities, movie activities and group interactionactivities.
 11. A system for providing career progression informationfor a plurality of users comprising: a multiplayer gaming serviceexecuting on the one or more networked computers in communication withone or more processing devices, the processing devices receiving userinput for the gaming service from and displaying output from the gamingservice to members of a group of users, wherein the multiplayer gamingservice comprises a: a user activity service for providing the group ofusers with one or more activities by communicating with the one or moreprocessing devices, wherein the activities include one or more gameactivities and one or more non-game activities; a game activity trackingservice for tracking user progress in the one or more game activitiesbased on data communications with the one or more processing devices; anon-game activity tracking service for tracking user progress in the oneor more non-game activities based on data communications with the one ormore processing devices; and a career progression service, wherein thecareer progression service interacts with at least one or more of theuser activity service, the game activity tracking service and thenon-game activity tracking service to generate career progressioninformation for the group of users participating in one or more of theactivities via the one or more processing devices in communication withthe gaming service executing on the one or more networked computers. 12.The system of claim 11 wherein the career progression service determinesan achievement score related to the one or more game activities and theone or more non-game activities based on an amount of time the group ofusers spends performing the one or more game activities and the one ormore non-game activities using the multiplayer gaming service.
 13. Thesystem of claim 11 wherein the career progression service interacts withat least one or more of the user activity service, the game activitytracking service and the non-game activity tracking service to generatean aggregated career score for the group of users wherein the aggregatedcareer score is generated based on aggregating one or more achievementscores across the one or more game activities and the one or morenon-game activities for the group of users.
 14. The system of claim 13wherein the career progression service assigns a career milestone forthe group of users based on the aggregated career score.
 15. The systemof claim 14 wherein the career progression service provides a careeraward for the plurality of users based on the career milestone.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15 wherein the career progression service generates thecareer progression information for the plurality of users based on atleast one of the achievement scores, the aggregated career score, thecareer milestone and the career award.
 17. One or more computer readablestorage media comprising instructions for directing one or moreprocessors to perform a method comprising: providing one or moreactivities for a user via one or more processing devices which receiveuser input and display output related to the one or more activities forthe user, the one or more activities comprising one or more gameactivities and one or more non-game activities; tracking data indicatinguser progress in the one or more game activities and the one or morenon-game activities based on the user input received by the one or moreprocessing devices; determining one or more achievement scores for theuser based on the tracked data and stored criteria for the one or moregame activities and the one or more non-game activities; aggregating theone or more achievement scores across the one or more game activitiesand the one or more non-game activities to generate an aggregated careerscore for the user; and generating career progression information forthe user, based on the aggregated career score.
 18. The one or morecomputer readable storage media of claim 17 wherein the careerprogression information includes at least one of the one or moreachievement scores, the aggregated career score, a career milestone anda career award associated with a user participating in the one or moregame activities and the one or more non-game activities.
 19. The one ormore computer readable storage media of claim 17 wherein the methodfurther comprises: providing one or more activities for a user via oneor more processing devices which receive user input and cause outputrelated to the one or more activities to be displayed for the user, theone or more activities comprising one or more game activities and one ormore non-game activities further comprises a gaming servicecommunicatively coupled to the one or more processing devices over theInternet providing at least one of the one or more activities for theuser.
 20. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 17wherein the stored criteria comprises an amount of time a user spendsperforming the one or more game activities and the one or more non-gameactivities.